Antrim Primary

Eco Schools Report - MARCH 2010
As an eco school we care about the environment and how we can help conserve the
earth's resources. We would like to update you on what is happening in our school for the
Eco-schools award scheme. This year we will be applying for our third Green Flag.
This is a whole school project and we need everyone to help the eco committee to achieve
this, so that we can continue to fly the green flag outside our school. Being awarded a
green flag shows people that we care for our environment.
It is impossible for a few people to keep our school clean and tidy. We need everyone to
take responsibility for the appearance of our school. To be awarded the flag we are
assessed on the different issues we have targeted.

Litter
This year the eco committee has given each year group a green zone to look after and the
litter problem has greatly improved but we still need your help to stop litter being thrown
down both inside and outside of school.
The main problem is now at the front of the school where either people are throwing litter
into the grounds or it is blown in by the wind. We would like you to encourage your friends
and family to always put litter in the bin. Remember if someone is caught throwing litter
down by the litter warden there is an instant �75 fine.

Waste Minimisation
One of our main aims has been to Reduce, Re-use and Recycle the waste we produce.
P6 classes have looked at ways we can reduce the amount of waste in their lunch boxes
� Use a lunch box with different compartments for different foods
� Put items in reusable bags which can be resealed instead of items which are individually
wrapped.
Over the past several years we have been involved with Cash for Clobber project and have
raised money for our Eco fund which goes towards buying plants and pots for our school
grounds.
A clothes bank is now in place in the "kitchen" car park. Old clothes, fabrics etc may be
left at reception to be recycled.
In the summer term we will be sending out information on our new recycling project for this
year. We want you to collect clean second hand clothes from your friends and family. For
every bag of clothes we collect the school will receive �1.25. So hopefully we will be able
to continue to raise some money for our school grounds.

Healthy Living
Healthy living is another important part of the eco schools message. Thanks to Mrs
Mooney's and Mr. Hill's Healthy Living initiative more people are bringing fruit and other
healthy options for break. Recently there has been some concern about young peoples'
diet. We all should have 5 portions of fruit or vegetables each day. Having a banana or an
orange for break will give you more vitamins and will give you longer lasting energy than a
chocolate bar or crisps.
We hope that when it comes to choosing something for breaks you will make a healthy
choice of having fruit. Choosing fruit instead of crisps and chocolate bars will help to
reduce waste, as all the waste can be recycled in the worm bins. This will also help to
reduce the litter problem in school.
Remember exercising is also important to keep you healthy and it helps to clear your
mind and releases chemicals that make you feel happy. Pupils continue to enjoy Mr
Savage's Huff and Puff programme to encourage them to exercise and stay healthy.

Schools Grounds
We have targeted the school grounds for our next green flag. We want our school grounds
to become an outdoor classroom, a place where we can work as well as rest and play.
We want to attract more wildlife into the school grounds such as mini beasts and birds.
Mrs. McGlaughlin has ben working with Hutchinson Homes and Legal Island who have
sponsored 3 garden areas and refreshed other areas and planters from the work they
carried out last year.
The conservation volunteers have weaved the willow domes and planted fruit bushes.
P3 and P4 children have planted flowers and bulbs.
P2 pupils have made bird feeders to hang up around the school grounds.
Many of us have been involved in the Big schools bird watch and can now identify the
different birds that visit our school grounds each day. We enjoyed collecting the data and
entering it on the rspb web site. If you visit this site you will find out the results of Britain's
big bird watch

Energy
Climate change is already happening and we must take action to reduce our energy usage
if we are to prevent catastrophe. Even the smallest of actions can make a difference. Not
leaving your TV on standby and And this helps reduce the amount of 'greenhouse gases',
which contribute towards climate change. In school we are trying to reduce the amount of
energy we produce. Perhaps you can find out how to use less energy at home.
Climate change is already happening, as scientists report daily, and we must take drastic
action to reduce our energy consumption.

Transport
We would like to encourage pupils to walk to school or travel on public transport instead of
getting a lift. This could help save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide if everyone did
the same. We will be targeting this topic next year in our Eco School action plan.

Global Perspectives
The whole school took part in Fairtrade Fortnight. We hope that pupils and families will
choose Fairtrade products whenever possible. We were delighted to welcome David Ford
MLA and Michael Laverty (Antrim Borough Council Environment Officer) to our special
Fairtrade assembly. (See pictures on News0910 link).